Echinococcus granulosus: observations on strobilar development in in vitro monophasic culture

The in vitro cultivation technique of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces usually states the necessity of a biphasic medium with a solid protein substrate for strobilar development to take place; otherwise, in a monophasic medium, protoscoleces follow a vesicular development. However, in some monophasic cultures, the development of several strobilate individuals (in different quantities and stages of development, depending on the culture) were observed. The only known difference from cultures made previously and since, where the development was vesicular, was the batch of foetal calf serum used in the constitution of the liquid medium, and this is presumed to be the cause of this unexpected strobilar development.